Category: Astronomy

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2018 June 21

Northern Lights and Noctilucent Clouds Image Credit & Copyright: Adrien MauduitExplanation: Skies after the near-solstice sunset on June 17 are reflected in this calm lake. The tranquil twilight scene was captured near Bashaw, Alberta, Canada, northern planet Earth. Usually spotted at high latitudes in summer months, night shining or noctilucent clouds hang just above the horizon, transfusing light into a darker sky. Near the edge of space, the icy apparitions are condensations on meteoric dust or volcanic ash still in sunlight at extreme altitudes. Also near the edge of space on this short northern night, solar activity triggered the lovely apparition of aurora borealis or northern lights.

I am always on the lookout for something or someone new and interdisciplinary to bring to the STEAM Hub. James Turrell, an installation artist and son of an aeronautical engineer and Peace Corps doctor, seems to have that beautiful mix of aesthetic creativity partnered with science that is so interesting to me. It came as no surprise that his undergraduate studies focused on psychology and mathematics; only later, in graduate school, did he pursue art, receiving an MFA from the Claremont Graduate School in Claremont, California.

Here are a few of his Arizona projects to wet your whistle. When it cools off just a little, I think a James Turrell art road trip is in order.

Roden CraterThe natural cinder cone crater is now home to a land art project and naked eye observatory thirty plus years in the making that will blow your mind.

Take a journey with Steve Strom, astronomer and photographer based in Tucson, and his contrasting photos of Earth and Mars which are striking in their similarities. The short film by Arizona Public Media was well worth five minutes of my time. I’m impressed!

Earth and Mars were formed at the same time, 3.5 to 4 billion years ago. Yet cosmic forces left one wet and lush and the other dry and barren. Local astronomer and photographer Steve Strom has authored a book that invites readers to contemplate the differences and similarities of these two adjacent planets.

Students who thought all had been lost after a camera sent up via weather balloon became untraceable upon descent, were surprised when it was recovered two years later. It’s a remarkable story and the video, finally revealed, is pretty good as well. What do you know? A lucky break.